Stop power-washing patios and raking up leaves — a minimalist approach is required if you want a biodiverse garden

As the weather turns a little warmer many of us venture outside to tidy things in preparation for the summer, but don’t fuss too much, because for those that crave an eco-friendly, easy-to-maintain garden, less is definitely more.

John Wyer, the co-founder of Bowles & Wyer, a garden design practice, says: “The more you clip, weed, clear up and powerwash, the worse the biodiversity. Gardens are at least four times more biodiverse than farmland, and the less you tidy up the better for wildlife. Don’t sweep up all the leaves, don’t dead-head everything — gold finches love seed heads. The less you do the better.”

This five-bedroom house in Wargrave, Berkshire, is £2.625 million with Knight Frank

Most of us don’t want to live in an overrun garden, but a little untidyness here and there won’t hurt.